They also had a bad hair month.

The news about the FBI has not been heartening. On June 6 came word that for at least two years before its computerized case management system crashed, there was ample evidence that it was a turkey. On June 7, members of the 9/11 commission, who have formed a private group to continue operating as anti-terrorism watchdogs, said, according to The Washington Post, that "the FBI has stumbled badly in its attempts to remake itself." On June 10, the Post said that according to a report by the Inspector General of the Department of Justice, "the FBI missed at least five chances to detect the presence of two of the hijackers" before 9/11. On June 20, the AP reported that FBI managers admitted that "expertise about the Middle East or terrorism was not important in choosing the agents they promoted to top jobs."

George Bald, the FBI's antiterrorism chief, said "his first terrorism training came 'on the job' when he moved to headquarters to oversee the counter-terrorism strategy two years ago." When asked about his knowledge of the Middle East he said, "I wish that I had it. It would be nice."

Lack of expertise was also a problem with the FBI computer project, as were frequent management turnover and design changes--including 36 to the contract alone. What happens is that when new managers come in, they want to put their stamp on the project by making changes before they know what they are doing. Gradually, they realize the project is a disaster waiting to happen, and become determined to get out at least one step ahead of the sheriff: "Send me anywhere, I'll go to Butte!"